Protection of natural resources

Refugio San Antonio is a private nature reserve in the mountains above San Isidro de El General

 The biologists Anne and Jan Grimm have protected a large contiguous forest area with premontane rainforest and cloud forest within the biological corridor Path of the Tapir and the UNESCO Savegre Biosphere Reserve.

The reserve extends west of San Isidro over an area of approx. 600 hectares at 500 - 1300 m above sea level. M. The protected area is looked after by a local family with the aim of preserving this important buffer zone and continually expanding it through the purchase of additional areas and active reforestation as well as through natural succession. Interested nature lovers can visit the reserve after prior registration (own arrival, 4x4 recommended) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and stay overnight in a traditional country house that was built 30 years ago on the highest point of the reserve.

At 1300 m there is a wonderful panoramic view over the surrounding primary forests, the city of San Isidro and the Cordilliera Talamanca with the Chirripó, the highest mountain in the country, all the way to the Pacific - but be careful, you have to dress a little warmer in the evening. The house is simply but functionally equipped to comfortably accommodate up to six people in three bedrooms (either self-catering or simple local cuisine provided by the managing family, price by arrangement). There are also horses that you can borrow for tours. Other very simple overnight accommodations are available at the reforestation station located at 900 meters in a lonely valley basin in the northeast of the reserve. The local manager speaks only Spanish and is happy to show adventurous nature enthusiasts the beauties of the Refugio on one of the numerous private trails. A day hike to the hidden waterfalls of the Rio Guabito requires a very good level of fitness. The jungle trail over the Guaria grade leads through mossy and bromeliad cloud forest with spectacular views to the Pacific coast and after about 2 hours reaches the Rio San Antonio, which offers refreshing swimming opportunities. From there you can explore other areas of the reserve if you wish. For less ambitious hikers, there are a number of shorter trails through different climate and vegetation zones of the nature reserve.

If interested, visitors can also participate in the ongoing reforestation projects. All income goes entirely to the protection project.